Johnny Herbert would consider a test drive at MF1

By Huw Alban
January 25 2006

Johnny Herbert, Sporting Relations Manager for Midland F1, made an appearance at the recent Autosport Motorshow and gave a number of interviews including a high profile one on the Autosport Central stage - the place to be seen talking motorsport at the show.

Unfortunately MF1O could not be there to witness all of what he said, but a number of interesting quotes have been made public.

Johnny was drafted in by the team mid way through the 2005 season when the struggling Jordan team were suffering something of a PR nightmare. Everyone in the paddock, including the fans, saw Johnny Herbert as a desperate measure by the team to pull things back on course - a popular face that could speak to the media and represent the team.

"It was interesting getting back into F1 again," he has been quoted as saying by Autosport. "The sport is always revolving and it is nice to do something a bit different. My job is to liase with the press, the drivers, the mechanics and the engineers and to get the image of Midland up, because it came into Jordan which unfortunately wasn't competitive."

Johnny also spoke about the future, and the fact that Midland are in better shape for the 2006 season. "The (Jordan) car was effectively three years old but now we have a new car, we have the new Toyota V8 engine, the new gearbox which runs in a week or so (ref. last weeks test at Silverstone) and then our new car comes in February."

Would Johnny have a got in the new Midland car ? Of course he would. "I miss driving F1 cars, although I am not particularly bothered if I drive one or not. I have been there and done it, but if Midland ever offered me a run I would probably say yes."